Slenderizing machine



Jan. 20, 1959 D. T. MOSSE SLENDERIZING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 50, 1956 INVENTOR. DANIEL T. MOSSE fi TORNE I Jan. .0, 1959 D. T. MOSSE 2,369,539

SLE-NDERIZING MACHINE Filed Jan. 50, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

DANIEL T. MOSSE m zzw HIS ATTORNE Y Jan. 20, 1959 D. T. MossE 2,869,539

SLENDERIZING MACHINE Filed Jan. 50, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR.

DANIEL T. MOSSE HIS ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1959 D. T. MOSSE SLENDERIZING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 30, 1956 INVENTOR. DANIEL T. MOSS E HIS ATTORNEY SLENDERIZING MAGHINE Daniel T. Mosse, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application January 30, 1956, Serial No. 562,146

7 Claims. (Cl. 128-33) My invention relates to a slenderizing machine for reducing weight by the exercise of certain muscles of the human body, which machine is also useful for stimulating blood circulation and for general physical therapy, particularly for polio victimsalso for relaxation and rehabilitation.

in the past, exercising machines have been used which include pivotal oscillating pads for exercising certain parts of the body. An outstanding disadvantage of such machines is their complicated construction and high cost of manufacture as well as the fact that such oscillating pads move through an arc of a circle, which is undesirablealso such machines lack the adjustability and variety of oscillating movements that are required for exercising the various muscles necessary for completely slenderizing the human body.

An object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a novel slenderizing or-exercising machine which is devoid of the above named disadvantages of known types of machines, and which is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction, nevertheless affording a wide variety of adjustability and control.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel slenderizing machine in which the oscillating parts oscillate in a fiat plane instead of through an arc of a circle, and wherein such planes of oscillation are variable in height so as to provide a wide range of adjustment and applicability to different parts of the human body.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the following description taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is'a side elevational view of a slenderizing machine embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the slenderizing machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of certain parts of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2 and more clearly illustrating the drive means for oscillating the frame in a horizontal plane;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view showing the drive for the frame and table top;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partly exploded, view showing a part of the drive for imparting horizontal oscillating movement to movable pads; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view, partly exploded, showing the drive mechanism for exercising the feet.

Referring more particularly to Fi ures 1 and 2 of the drawing, numeral 1 denotes a floor surface on which is mounted a stationary or fixed framework 2. On top of ice supports a reversible A. C. motor 6 which, by means of belts 7 and 8, drives pulleys 9 and 10, respectively, and

these pulleys are coupled to shafts which,,in turn, drive belts 11 and 12, and pulleys 13 and 14 which rotate crank arms 13a and 14a, respectively, for imparting horizontal oscillating movement to movable pads 21 and 22.

On the table or top portion of the framework there are mounted fixed pads 15 and 16. Also mounted thereon are movable pads 21 and 22 which are adjustable in height by means of pad lift levers 17 and 18, respectively, pivotally mounted on framework 2.

Movable pads 21 and 22 are mounted for oscillating movement in a horizontal plane within thecentral and upper portion of theframework, which pads are supported by parallelogram linkages 23 and 24 respective, which linkages, in turn, support rollers 25 and 26 which roll on the tracks formed by the top bars of the parallelogram linkages. It will be noted that'as the result of rotation of crank arms 13a andz14a, which drive links connected to the parallelogram links 23 and 24, the pads 21 and 22 are oscillated in the horizontal plane of the table top. It will also be noted that the movable pads 21 and 22 are adjustable in height by pivotal movement of the parallelogram linkage so that when the substantially vertically extending arms thereof are moved near to a vertical portion, as shown with respectto linkage 23, the pad 22 supported thereon is moved to a greater height as compared to pad 21 which is illustrated as having its parallelogram linkage 23 in a substantially collapsed position, thus lowering the supportedpadto thenormal position flush with the table top.

As shown more clearly in Figure 4, as pad lift lever 17 is turned so as to effect turning movement of arm 17a rigidly connected to its pivotal shaft, a bar 18, rigidly connected thereto and havingan idler pulley 19 connected at the free end thereof, will effect either. engagement or disengagement of theidler pulley withbelt 7 so as to control the drive of pulley 9 by motor 6. Rotation of operating arm or lift lever 17 also effects lifting of the parallelogram linkage so as to raise the height of. the

carriage 23 which rolls on the trackway 20 of the parallelogram linkage 23. In short, turning of lever 17 effects lifting of the movable pads 21 as well as completing the drive between motor 6 and pulley 9 so that the motor will effect horizontal oscillation of pads 21, that is, rolling of its supporting carriages 28 to and fro horizontally on track 20. Turning of lever 18 similarly effects completion of the drive to pulley 10 to effect oscillation of the carriage supporting the movable pads 22 and simultaneous lifting of such movable pads.

In order to provide horizontal oscillating movement to the movable portion of the framework or carriage 3, and as more clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, a driving motor 313 is provided which, by means of a belt 31, drives a pulley 32, and, in turn, speed reduction pulleys indicated generally as'33 which drive shaft 34 at reduced speed.

Bearings 35, fixed to the stationary framework 2, rotatably supporting shaft 34 so that the offset portion of said shaft, by the aid of a block 36, will effect reciprocating movement to pivotally connected links 37, a portionof which slides';through a slider 38, fixed to the stationary framework 2, so as to'elfect oscillation of the table top and movable portion 3 of the framework or carriage 3 and of the cradle 5 which supports .the driving mechanism.

As shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 6, a mecha nism is provided for exercising the feet by imparting a motion similar to that when driving the pedals of a bicycle. A motor 41. drives a belt 42 which drives a pulley 43, causing rotation of a shaft 44 journaled'in' 3 to which are journaled on bearings 54. Rigidly fixed to drive shafts 52 and 53 are wheels or discs 55 and 56 having pedals 57 and 58 respectively secured in opposite portions relative to the center of the pulleys. The pedals a 57 and 58 are at 180 relationship, as shown, during normal operation so that when the patient places his feet thereon a motion will be imparted thereto simulating that when operating a bicycle. When it is desired to place the pedals exactly in phase so that the feet may be moved in un'son instead of in 180 phase relationship, one of the clutch plates 59 and 60 may be turned 180 so that the driving integral lug 61 will contact a different driven lug 62, disposed 180 out of phase. This may be effected by reversing the direction of rotation of motor 41.

Likewise by the use of similar clutch plates 27 and 28 having lugs 28a, as shown moreclearly in Figure 5, each pair of movable pads may be selectively operated so that the pads of each pair will move either in unison or oppositelythe latter case, for example, when it is desired to exercise the buttocks by supporting one side on one movable pad and the other on the other pad of a pair, thus moving the sides in opposite directions to give passive exercise to the pelvic region. Of course the sides of the buttocks may be operated in unison by re versing rotation of the driving motor.

The entire foot exercising mechanism may be lowered into the table when not needed by pivoting the assembly about the axis of pulley 43. When the assembly is lifted into operating position, as shown, it may be held by supporting bracket 40.

In cperation, it will be apparent when it is desired to oscillate the entire table top 3 together with the fixed pads 15 and 16 and the two pairs of movable pads 21 and 22, such as for the purpose of stimulating circulation of the entire body, motor 30 is energized and driven to accomplish this purpose. When it is desired to oscillate either pair of movable pads 21 or 22 relative to the fixed pads, operating lever 17 or 18 is turned to lower the associated idler pulley 19 or 29, so as to effect driving engagement between the motor 6 and the respective driven and reciprocating mechanisms for this purpose. Or simultaneous operation of both pairs of pads 21 and 22 may be effected such as for simultaneously exercising the shoulders and both sides of the buttocks. The head may be supported on tiltable fixed pad 64. Operation of levers 17 and 18 simultaneously eff-cts opening of parallelogram linkages 23 and 24 and lifting of movable pads 21 and 22 to any desired height. And when it is desired to exercise the muscles of the leg or feet, the patient places his feet on the pedals 57 and 58 and motor 41 effects movements simulating that in driving a bicycle. If, instead, movement of the legs in unison is desired, motor 41 is reversed to effect such movement.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an efficient, muti-purpose. readily adjustable exercising machine which is extremely flexible in operation and which permits a wide variety of oscillating movements for exercising different parts of the body to effect slenderizing or reduction of weight, stimulation of circulation, improvement in posture and rehabilitation; furthermore I have provided an exercising machine in which the oscillating pads move in a fiat plane, instead of in an are, therefore are more effective for exercising parts of the body of a patient lying down on the table top portion of the machine; furthermore I have provided interlocking control elements which are so arranged that adjusting and operating functions can be effected by operation of a single control e ement, thereby facil'tating control and simplifying the construction as well as reducing the cost of the machine.

While I have illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only, and that various changes and A a modifications may be made within the contemplation of my invention and within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A machine for slenderizing the human body by exercising various muscles thereof comprising a stationary framework, a cradle having supported thereon horizontal trackways and a table top portion mounted thereon, power driven means for oscillating said cradle and table top portion in a horizontal plane, a plurality of pairs of body contacting pads included in said table top portion, and carriage means for each pair and supported on said cradle and including rollers for rolling on said horizontal trackways, and power driven means for oscillating sa d carriage means on said tr'ackways and for confining OSClllaticns of each pad to a horizontal plane, and means for selectively adjusting the height of each of said trackways.

2. A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein said last named means comprises a parallelogram linkage mounted In a vertical plane and whose top member forms a trackway, one of said parallelogram linkages supporting one pair cf movable pads and another supportlng another pair, and control means fer selectively openlng or collapsing said said parallelogram linkages whereby the movable pad pairs may be selectively adjusted in height.

3. A machine for slenderizing the body by exercising the various muscles thereof, comprising a stationary framework, a cradle having a movable table top port on suoportid therein, power driven means for oscillating caid crade and table top portion in a horizontal plane, a reversible driving motor supported on said cradle together with a pair of pulley systems, two pairs of oscillatable body contacting pads supported on said movable table top portion, each driven in a horizontal planc by one of said pulley systems, a parallelogram linkage for supporting each of said pairs of movable pads, sa d linkages extending in vertical planes longitudinally of sa d machine and the top portion of said link-ages being in the form of rails, each of said movable pads being supported by a carriage having rollers which roll on one of said rails, whereby said movable pad pairs are oscillated in horizontal planes at selective heights, and control means for selectively opening or collapsing said parallelogrsm linkages, thereby effecting selective vertical ad ustment of said movable pads.

4. A machine as recited in claim 3 wherein said control means for adjusting the height of said movable pads also effects mechanical coupling between said reversible driving moterand said pads.

5. A machine as recited in claim 3 wherein coupllng means are provided between said respective pairs of movable pads for selectively coupling each pad pair so as to move either at unison or oppositely.

6. A machine for slenderizing the body by exercising certain muscles thereof comprising a stationary frame, a movable cradle having a movable table top port on supported thereon, power driven means for oscillatmg said table top and cradle in a horizontal plane, two pairs of movable, horizontally oscillatable, body contacting pads supported on said cradle and projecting above said table top, means for selectively oscillating said pairs of pads in selective horizontal planes so that the pads of each pair will move either in unison or oppositely, comprising a driving motor, a pair of belt drives, a carriage supporting each pair of pads, coupling means between each pair of pads for selectively driving each pair in unison or oppositely, a parallelogram linkage for each pair of pads extending vertically, its top link proving a trackway on which a carriage is adapted to roll to cause oscillat ng movement to the pad, a pair of levers, one for opening or collapsing each of said parallelogram linkages, whereby said pairs of pads may be lifted to different heights, and an idler roller operated by each lever and engageable with a belt of one of said belt drives, whereby lifting of a pair of movable pads as a consequence of opening one of said parallelogram linkages will simultaneously effect coupling and driving engagement between said driving motor and one of said belt drives.

7. A machine for slenderizing the human body by $282,580 Hosford. 22, 1918 passively exercising the muscles thereof, comprising a 5 168-61979 McMams 9, stationary framework, support means therei having hori- 119091002 Oehlberg y 16, 1933 zontal tracks, a carriage mounted on said tracks, a body 2,427,053 Hampton P 9, contacting pad mounted on said carriage, and electric mo- 2,548,408 Tammen p 10, tor means for reciprocating said carriage in a horizontal 2,591,212 Staufier P 1, plane, said support means including parallel linkage means 10 2,666,429 Alexander 19, for adjusting the height of said tracks and pad. 2,693,796 Warner References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

